Mechanical Responses of Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells to Rat Interferon

André, Philippe; Travo, Pierre; Stoclet, Jean‐Claude; Poindron, Philippe

doi:10.1089/jir.1986.6.397

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…For example, IL-1b enhances contraction of airway, uterine and gastrointestinal smooth muscles. (19)(20)(21) Andre et al (22) reported IFN caused contraction of primary cultures of rat vascular smooth muscle cells that was blocked by verapamil. Cytokine potentiation of bronchoconstrictors such as acetylcholine, histamine and leukotrienes is also probably an important component of airway hyper-reactivity seen in asthma.…”

Section: Production Of Cytokines and Chemokines By Smooth Musclesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthesis of immune modulators by smooth muscles

et al. 2004

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The primary function of smooth muscle cells is to contract and alter the stiffness or diameter of hollow organs such as blood vessels, the airways and the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. In addition to purely structural functions, smooth muscle cells may play important metabolic roles, particularly in various inflammatory responses. In cell culture, these cells have been shown to be metabolically dynamic, synthesizing and secreting extracellular matrix proteins, glycosaminoglycans and a wide variety of cell-cell signaling proteins, such as interleukins, chemokines and peptide growth factors. Secreted cell signaling proteins participate in the inflammatory response of smooth muscle-containing organs, and some can also stimulate smooth muscle migration, proliferation and contraction. The cellular signaling pathways controlling synthesis of these signaling proteins are similar to those used by cells mediating innate immunity and may contribute to pathogenesis of diverse diseases including atherosclerosis, asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases and preterm labor. Appreciating the role of smooth muscle cells in these diseases may lead to better understanding of the beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory drugs as well as identification of new targets for anti-inflammatory therapy.

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